Star to perform for Yamba's Bonnie

SHE played the role of Carmen in the world renowned musical, Fame and left her American Idol journey early to take up the lead in the hit Broadway show, Rent.

These are just a few of the accomplishments of young American performer Lexi Lawson who is performing in the Clarence Valley this month to help raise money for a nine-year-old Yamba girl diagnosed with cancer.

Lexi is the partner of Leon Gulaptis - son of Clarence MP Chris Gulaptis and his wife Vicki.

Leon and Lexi were planning a holiday in the Clarence Valley this month and Vicki Gulaptis asked Lexi if she would perform as part of a fundraiser for Bonnie O'Neill who suffers a rare form of cancer, called Ewings Sarcoma.

"She was so excited to come out to Australia and meet us; we've been talking all this time on Skype," Mrs Gulaptis said.

"When she mentioned she was coming out here I said: 'Would you do a little show here in Maclean; there's a young girl who's got cancer'?

"I said it's certainly not New York or Los Angeles, but she said she'd love to."

The show will be at the Maclean Services Club on Friday, August 24.

Lexi will be joined on stage with popular local band, Hekyl and Jive, who are busy learning new songs for the show.